Megabox Joongang (; stylized as MEGABOX; ) is a multiplex cinema chain in

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

, and the third largest multiplex theater company in the country, after

CJ CGV CJ CGV (; trade name, d/b/a CGV Cinemas) is the largest multiplex (movie theater), multiplex cinema chain in South Korea and also has branches in China, Indonesia, Myanmar, Turkey, Vietnam, and the United States. The fifth largest Multiplex (movie ...

and

Lotte Cinema Lotte Cinema () started as the Cinema Business Division under Lotte Shopping in 1999 with the concept of focusing on launching a new entertainment era. As part of the rapid growth of the Korean film industry in the early 2000s, Lotte Cinema expa ...

. It is headquartered in

Cheongdam-dong Cheongdam-dong () is a ward of Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea. The area is best known in South Korea as an affluent neighborhood populated by a disproportionately high number of high-income individuals and for having some of the most expens ...

Gangnam-gu Gangnam District (; ) is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. The term ''Gangnam'' translates to "South of the Han River". Gangnam District is the third largest district in Seoul, with an area of . As of the 2024 census, Gangna ...

Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...

. It was established in 2000 as a joint venture between

Orion Confectionery Orion Corporation () is a South Korean confectionery company, headquartered in Munbae-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul. The company is one of the three largest food companies in South Korea, and was established in 1956 as Tongyang Confectionery Cor ...

and

Loews Cineplex Entertainment Loews Cineplex Entertainment, also known as Loews Incorporated, was an American theater chain operating in North America. The company was originally named "Loew's" after its founder Marcus Loew. In 1969, when the Tisch brothers acquired the com ...

, owned jointly by

Sony Pictures Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. is an American diversified multinational mass media and entertainment studio conglomerate that produces, acquires, and distributes filmed entertainment (theatrical motion pictures, television programs, and rec ...

and

Universal Studios Universal Studios may refer to: * Universal Studios, Inc., an American media and entertainment conglomerate ** Universal Pictures, an American film studio ** Universal Studios Lot, a film and television studio complex * Various theme parks operat ...

. It later merged with Cinus, owned by JoongAng Group's Media Network, in 2010. Currently, it operates 722 screens at 105 locations nationwide.

History

Megabox is owned by a consortium of

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

-based

Macquarie Group Macquarie Group Limited (), more commonly known as Macquarie Bank, is an Australian multinational investment banking and financial services group headquartered in Sydney and listed on the ASX (). Macquarie's investment banking division is Au ...

and Joongang Media Network subsidiary jcontentree. The first Megabox launched in COEX Mall in Samseong-dong in 2000 followed by another two years later in

Busan Busan (), officially Busan Metropolitan City, is South Korea's second list of cities in South Korea by population, most populous city after Seoul, with a population of over 3.3 million as of 2024. Formerly romanized as Pusan, it is the economi ...

for the international film festival. The chain grew to 14 branches. It was owned by North American-based

before being sold off by

Onex Corporation Onex Corporation is a Canadian investment management firm founded by Gerry Schwartz in 1984. In September 2024, it had $50 billion dollars under management. History Schwartz founded Onex in 1984 and took the company public in 1987. In Jun ...

in 2005. Megabox is a multiplex theater. There i
Art Nine
which is screened exclusively for art films. You can also watch art films at Megabox COEX. On May 8, 2025, Megabox parent company JoongAng Group announced to merge the cinema chain alongside

, forming as joint venture in hope to increase the competitiveness with

Cinus

Cinus is a Korean movie theater chain company. It merged small theater companies such as Gangnam Central 6 and Bundang Cine Plaza in December, 2004. The theaters paid franchise fees. The franchise headquarters started direct marketing integration. On September 18, 2008, it was acquired by ISPlus (Daily Sports), an affiliate of Joongang Ilbo. On June 17, 2011, ISPlus changed its name to Jcontentree. Cinus (grape in Latin), had 31 outlets. Cinus acquired Megabox in 2010. On May 20, 2011, it merged with Megabox, temporarily using the name Megabox Cinus and then fully adopting the Megabox name in the latter half of the year. In 2008, the company was reborn as a Sinus union company in partnership with Dansung Co. Dansung Company was transferred to Asan M Group on September 23.

Megabox Cinus

Megabox Cinus is a company made by combining Megabox and Sunus. After the merger, JC Content was the major shareholder. As a separate brand, it merged with the Megabox brand on November 1, 2011 and consolidated its website.

Theater models

Dolby Atmos Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology developed by Dolby Laboratories. It expands on existing surround sound systems by adding height channels as well as free-moving sound objects, interpreted as three-dimensional objects with neither horiz ...

(Goyang Starfield, Daejeon Hyundai Outlet, Mokdong, Sangam World Cup Stadium, Seongsu, Suwon Starfield, Chungju yeonsu, Pohang, Hanam Starfield): The upgraded version of the M2 adds Barco's premium 6P laser projector projection system that delivers 56,000 lumens brightness and 4096x2160 full 4K UHD resolution through six laser sources, Prima Silver Premium Screen, and Meyer Sound EXP (US) and

Dolby ATMOS Dolby Atmos is a surround sound technology developed by Dolby Laboratories. It expands on existing surround sound systems by adding height channels as well as free-moving sound objects, interpreted as three-dimensional objects with neither horiz ...

(US). * PREMIUM (Daejeon, Shindae, Cheonan, COEX) : Seats offer two arm rests, Mayer/JBL High power speakers, personal tables. * TABLE M (Gwangju, Gimpo, Daegu, Deokcheon, Mokdong, Baekseok, Sokcho, Jeonju, Kintex, Paju Geumchon, Haeundae): The auditorium is equipped with a table to secure individual space and rests for both arms. * BOUTIQUE M (Bundang, Central, COEX): Boutique hotel personality. * BALCONY M (Bundang): Balcony seating. * The FIRST CLUB (KINTEX): Bed-type seating and VIP lounge * DRIVE M (Yongin): Open-air car theater with a barbecue. * OPEN M (Baekseok, One mount): Urban camping installed on a rooftop. * MEGA KIDS BOX (Yeongtong): Children's theater with high-definition screen for watching movies in bright surroundings.

Price of a movie ticket

In 2016, general tickets were 9,000 won, and they increased by 1,000 won every year. Due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

, the film industry has been in crisis and raised once again in 2020. So tickets are priced at 13,000 won as of 2021. Megabox and three other Korean multiplexes said they will discount movie tickets only for vaccinated people in order to encourage them to vaccinate against

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

. Up to one companion can watch the movie at an exceptional price(5,000 to 6,000 won). Megabox will raise movie tickets from July 5, 2021, changing its price to 13,000 won during the week and 14,000 won during the weekend.

References

External links

Megabox web site (Korean)
{{Movie theaters in South Korea Loews Cineplex Entertainment Entertainment companies established in 2000 South Korean companies established in 2000 Cinema chains in South Korea